Jun 21, 2012Today I got my book from Createspace, my finished book. It looks great, pages, cover, everything...but there's one problem. IT'S HUGE, LOL!!! I mean, like textbook huge. Ah, well. At least I have this one copy to give to my daughter when she gets old enough. I hope she knows that I will always love her.

Jun 15, 2012The book is completed, on my computer that is. Now I have to upload it on Createspace, and see if there are any problems, I sure hope not. What a relief!! And it's funny that the book is done today, considering the date.

Jun 2, 2012Success!! Just completed the final story for my collection, entitled "Half the Battle". It is, in my opinion, one of my very best. Now, all that remains is for me to edit it, which shouldn't take long, and then look into Createspace.
On a seperate note, I got to talk to my daughter on Friday night, which is a blessing in and all of itself. I truly miss her, and I love her deeply. This collection, coincidentally, is for her.

May 17, 2012Things are moving along- today, I created my Createspace account, so I got that started, at least. I ordered a cool book off of Amazon, too (called The Weird, a collection of horror stories with like over 1000 pages; should keep me busy for a while). I'm also still taking notes for the final story I want to add to the collection, and there's been some interesting turns by just the notes. I'm hoping the story will turn out well, I fear that not writing anything new in a while may have soured my ability, but hopefully, once I start, it will come back. Like riding a bike, right? Ok, on a more personal note, things aren't going so well in other areas, and those who know me will know what that means. But I keep pushing onward, just like always. Books can be a nice diversion from personal problems, don't you think?

May 13, 2012Finished revising my stories (and one poem) for my collection, so that's a good thing. Going to look into Createspace more, and write the final story for said collection. I just picked up my daughter two books from the Goodwill, ones I think she'll like when she gets a little bit older. If she's anything like me, she'll love to read, and hopefully write, as well. But I'm proud of her no matter what she does. On a down note, I didn't get to talk to her this weekend, something I'm upset over, naturally. I just hope she knows that I love her and I miss her, and that she's always in my thoughts. Always.

May 7, 2012Got the check from Allegory today ($15). I don't think I'm going to cash it; it's going to be more like a momento, I think. It's pretty cool to know what it feels like to get paid for one of your works.

May 1, 2012"Code Red" is up on Allegory Magazine (still waiting to get paid for that one), and "The Eyes Have It" is up on Red Asylum (not getting paid for that one, lol). Never had two stories go on the internet at the same time; it's kind of cool, gives me at least some sense of accomplishment, however small that may be.

Apr 28, 2012Making good headway revising my stories for the collection. If everything goes according to plan (and when does it ever?), I should be able to self-publish a collection by either October or November. And I still have to write that final story, so I know that will take time. I love you, Giana.

Apr 11, 2012Well, "You Do Understand, Don't You?" is up on Blood Moon Rising, be it as it may. I've also gone over a proof copy of "The Stork" for Alt. Hist. and sent in the contract for "Code Red" for Allegory Magazine. Almost sounds like a real writer, hmmm???

Apr 1, 2012Promised myself I'd write today-still can't seem to, my own fault, really. I'm looking into Createspace, it looks really nice, and I think I'm going to start getting some of my works together in a collection. Should be cool to at least try, and see what happens. All righty, until later.

Mar 24, 2012My story "Code Red" was accepted by Allegory Magazine, it will appear online May 1. Yay!!

Mar 17, 2012Going through a lot of trouble right now; finding it difficult to write, to even think clearly, for that matter. I don't know if she'll ever read this, but if she does, Giana- I love you, I've always loved you, and I never, ever wanted to desert you....I miss you, sweetheart. But I just wanted you to know that I love you, and I'm sorry that things couldn't be different.

Feb 23, 2012Just got an email from a magazine called "Alt. Hist." that wants to publish my story "The Stork". Don't know when, going to have to see what they say.

Feb 10, 2012Well, I didn't lose my job, so that's a good thing. Another weekend; just got some books from Amazon, so I'm kind of excited about that. I'll try to write-got some ideas I want to try. Anyway, at least there's books.

Feb 2, 2012Had the worst day ever today, just a bunch of little things- making one big, bad day. And it could be even worse tomorrow, considering I just might lose my job. Oh well, as the French say, "C'est La Vie".

Jan 26, 2012Ok..just got news I'm very proud of. Allegory magazine has put my story "Code Red" in the "maybe" pile, and they'll decide eight stories for the upcoming issue on February 29. Even if I don't get into the issue, I still get honorable mention on their website. Like I said, good news.

Jan 22, 2012Ok...like wow. Accepted, by a PRINT magazine called Abandoned Towers for my short story called "Ashes to Ashes". They are going to send me a contract, and I think I might actually get paid for this one!!! Wow, I'm like blown away. I might be a paid, published writer now!!!!!

Jan 19, 2012Nothing much to say; going to try to do some more writing this weekend, I have a few ideas, and Sunday I hope to catch up on submitting some of my work to publishers. Other than that, pretty much same old same old.

Jan 5, 2012Happy New Years, everybody!! So far, mine hasn't been starting out all that well; hopefully, that will change. Still getting a lot of rejections, and there has been a lot happening that has put me off track. Keeping my fingers crossed that things will get better :)

Dec 26, 2011Got an acceptance on my story "Lawn Care" from Oberon's Law, another ezine. Still no money, but hey, at least it's something, I guess, lol. Hope everyone had a merry holiday and a happy new year!!!

Dec 23, 2011Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

Dec 15, 2011Keep getting rejected by the paying markets :( Anyway, I think I adopted a good plan for doing stuff during the week, it will go as follows: Monday (submit), Tuesday (write), Wednesday (submit), Thursday (keep up with Booksie and Bookrix), and Friday, Saturday and Sunday (write). I think that keeps me in line with everything, see how it goes.

Dec 12, 2011Just got rejected by Glimmer Train today. The odds of getting in are very small (they accept 40 manuscripts out of about 40,000 a year), but it's still a downer. Kind of been in a bum mood all day anyway, but at least I get to talk to my daughter later on tonight, hopefully that will cheer me up some.

Dec 7, 2011Deadman's Tome is up!!! My story, Shades, is featured in there. And, get this, in the intro, the editor actually compared my writing to the earlier works of Stephen King. What a compliment!!! However, I think I'm going to start changing my submitting policy, thanks to a great book I read, called On Writing Horror. Kind of changed my whole perspective, and might, just might, make me a more successful author (depending on the quality of my stories, that is, lol!!!) Still feels good to have my work out there, though, and the compliment was like icing on the cake!!!

Dec 1, 2011Just checked my email, and an ezine called "Roar and Thunder" basically said I just missed publication, or something like that. Makes me feel good all the same. Deadman's Tome still hasn't put out the December issue yet, so I'm looking forward to that.

Nov 28, 2011Word must be getting around, lol. Another publication!!! Yes!!! That makes three in like a month's time. The ezine Red Asylum has accepted my story "The Eyes Have It" for their fourth issue (not exactly sure when it's going to come out, they say February is possible). That gives me a total of five writing credits. I'm only like 30,000 off of Stephen King, yay!!!!!!

Nov 19, 2011Ok...good weekend. Finished the two short stories I was working on, and found out I'm getting published (again). My story "Shades" is scheduled to appear in next month's issue of Deadman's Tome. (Look out Stephen King, here I come, lol!!!)

Nov 14, 2011Just found out I'm going to be published!!! Yay!!! My story (it's on here, too) "You Do Understand, Don't You?" was just accepted by an ezine called Blood Moon Rising, and it will appear in Issue #48 coming out in April of 2012. I'm so excited, finally!!!!

Nov 12, 2011Another weekend upon me, and I feel the urge to write, yet, do I have the willpower? Hopefully. Trying to complete two short stories at once. Really excited about the chat room that several booksie members and myself have started; it's really cool. Well.....until next time.

Oct 27, 2011Still submitting, still trying, still writing. Story of my life, lol!! The story I'm currently working on, I call it "Lot Find" is probably going to be much longer than anything I've previously written. Moving up in the world (at least on the written page, lol).

Oct 14, 2011Hoping to get some major writing done this weekend ;-)

Oct 13, 2011Just submitted my first short story in a long, long while to a publication, "Glimmer Train". I don't have very high hopes that the story will be published; however, I do have some hope that I just might try submitting more on a regular basis, just like I used to before I got daunted. It's kind of 50/50 right now.

Sep 30, 2011Working on another story now, call it "Code Red", it's coming along, I'd like to work on that one and possibly get another story on here this weekend. Peace!!

Sep 24, 2011Finished my story!! Time to party like it's 1999, lol, at least for a little while, until the next one.

Sep 23, 2011Another glorious weekend, yay!! Going to try to knock out my short story I've been working on, and had another idea for a short, short story I'm going to post on here. Hopefully, I can get that done, too. Thank you to all the people who have fanned me, I really appreciate it.

Sep 15, 2011Glad its almost Friday, lol!! Working on a short story now, I call it "Scrawlings", and even though I'm not one hundred percent into it, I feel like it just must be written. Anybody else feel that way about your stories, or am I just weird? Hope not :>

Sep 13, 2011Just got through finishing a horror anthology last night, the last story "Technicolor" really spooked me out, it was really cool. I love stories like that, inspires me to write. Thank you to the people who have read and commented on my stories, I really appreciate it.

Sep 11, 2011Just getting into the thick of it now, my friends. Wrote my first short story in about a month, and look forward to writing many more. I've got a lot of fresh ideas!! Going to try to keep some new stuff on here, too.

First and foremost, I love to read; always have. I started writing when I was a teenager, then life got in the way for a little while. I picked up a pen and started writing some short stories about three years ago, and although I don't write as much as I would like to, I absolutely love it. Getting published has been an arduous task (to say the least), but at least I still have the thrill of entertaining myself with my stories. I am always interested in other peoples' stories as well, I think us writers should stick together. I love horror anthologies, especially when its done by multiple writers; I think you get a good variety that way. Just got into Lovecraft, the man was a genius, and have always liked Stephen King, who, of course, is a master of horror. I hope one day to be published; it's a dream of mine, but if that doesn't happen, then at least I can self-publish my work, and show it to friends and family, and hand my stories down to my daughter, who I hope would like them. I love to have criticism on my stories, how else are you supposed to get better write, lol? Ok, enough said...my blank pages await!!

Looking at other peope's bios on here makes me realize that mine is kind of plain, and there is more to me than just reading and writing ( a little more, lol). So here goes:

I am 32 years old, and live in New Jersey. I am a proud father, who loves and adores his little girl, who just turned 7 a little while ago. She is my world, and there is nothing that I wouldn't do for her. What else.....I like making new friends, which is one of the reasons I joined Booksie, not just for criticism on my stories. I like watching movies (horror my favorite, but a good sci-fi will do, too). Some of my favorites are horrors like Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street, and movies like The Time Machine and Robocop, and some sincerely touching ones like Awakenings (which I think was truly awesome). I like all kinds of music, ranging from classical symphonies( Beethoven and Mozart) to country (Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, and Shania Twain are some among many of my favorites). I enjoy walking, it really helps me clear my mind (which needs a lot of clearing, lol), and I think it's great exercise to boot. My favorite time of year is Autumn (Halloween, crisp but not cold air, falling leaves of different colors), I love the beach (especially at night, where you can sense the great expanse of the ocean rather than actually seeing it), and some of my favorite foods are the Supreme Pizza from Pizza Hut and Big Macs (I'm kind of a big health food nut, lol). There has to be more than that.....hmmm.......

How about some pictures??

This is one of my favorites of me holding my baby girl

I'm having a great hair day in this one, lol!!!

My daughter, now. Beautiful, isn't she??

And here's one with me and her at her 4th Birthday Party. Nice beard, huh?

I'm really into classic cars, and always, always enjoy a good car show. Some of my favorite classics of all time are: '65 Mustang, '66 Chevelle, '64 GTO, '54 Corvette, '58 Fury (because it was Christine), and my personal favorite, the dream car I hope to own some day: a '68 Firebird (glossy black).

I would like to give a shout out to some people on here, not only because they're very good writers, but because they've become personal friends of mine, if you get a chance, please check out their work:

Alisindra

Psychotic Thrillers

Artemis Nightshade

Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

We also have a chat room that we've created (it's really, really cool); if you're interested in joining, please let me or Alisindra know, and we'll hook you up with the link. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!!!

I kind of regret not doing more adventurous or interesting things in my younger days, but the greatest accomplishment that I am very proud of is the birth of my little girl. There is just something so magical about bringing a new life into the world (all of you mothers and fathers out there know exactly what I'm talking about). To see that first smile, watch her take her very first steps, speak her first word, feed herself for the first time, what can I say? Precious.

I currently have two major goals in my life as of now (three if you include getting published):

1) Spend more time with my daughter, who (sadly and unfortuneately) lives in another state then where I currently reside and,

2) Go back to school, get a degree, and get a good career (my absolute dream, and I'm going to check into this, is to become an editor, preferably for a magazine or, better yet, a publishing agency. To be able to read all day, and get paid for it.....wow!!! Heaven, plain and simple).

These are some short stories that I have read, that not only have stuck with me, but inspired what I write. This is, by far, an incomplete list, and I will update it continually as I think of other ones:

The Chaser by John Collier

Night They Missed the Horror Show by Joe Lansdale

Shadow Out of Time by H.P. Lovecraft

Technicolor by John Langan

The Jaunt by Stephen King

Wake-Up Call by David J. Schow

Ms. In a Bottle by Edgar Allan Poe

Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Ropy Thing by Al Sarrantonio

Ubbo-Sathla by Clark Ashton Smith

An Experiment in Human Nature by Monica J. O' Rourke

Mr. Clubb and Mr. Cuff by Peter Straub

My Boat by Joanna Russ

The Hounds of Tindalos by Frank Belknap Long

Haeckel's Tale by Clive Barker

A Little Night Music by Lucius Shepard

Soft Monkey by Harlan Ellison

A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury

Talent by Theodore Sturgeon

The Thief by Gregg Hurwitz

Born of Man and Woman by Richard Matheson

Tunesmith by Lloyd Biggle, Jr.

The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke

The Graveyard Rats by Henry Kuttner

Sandkings by George R. R. Martin

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Well, that's all I can think of for now, but like I said, there are many, many more, and I will try to put them on here as they come to me.

Some more little tidbits about me:

I would like to meet John Lithgow someday. I think he's one of the greatest actors ever (I dare you to watch an episode of Third Rock From the Sun and not laugh, even once).

I admire Nolan Ryan, not only because of his stellar pitching career, but also for his longevity and leadership qualities.

In the ongoing debate of who is hotter, Katy Perry or Lady Gaga, I would choose Katy Perry ANY DAY.

I have two tattoes (and would love to get more): TheJoker on my right arm, and my daughter's name on my chest, above my heart.

I hate when older people keep bragging on how cheap things were in the old days. Duh, people MADE a lot less then, too!!!

Some songs that will always remind me of my daughter as an infant are: "That's Something to be Proud Of" by Montgomery Gentry, "I Cant Unlove You" by Kenny Rogers, and "Wherever You Are" by Jack Ingram.

I am proud to say that I attended a FREE Peter Cetera concert. (Yeah, you heard me, free. I gladly would have paid for it, though.)

I'm also proud that I piloted a big rig for a short while in nearly every state east of the Mississippi River, taking in the wondrous sights of The Statue of Liberty and the St. Louis Arch while I was on the road.

I would (of course) like to meet Stephen King, and have him read one of my manuscripts, just so he can tell me in a perfunctory way that it shows promise, but still needs work.

I can't understand the reason why anybody would ever want a cockroach as a pet. DISGUSTING!!!!!

I have had a crush on Mariah Carey since I was thirteen years old.

The Twilight Zone is one of my favorite TV shows.

I have been to Nashville, TN, meeting and shaking hands with Andy Griggs. If you don't know him, he sang "If Heaven". If you don't know the song, look it up; it's very powerful.

I just want to put this out there, because it's important- Katy, if you (please God) happen to come by this profile, I will gladly give you my phone number, and my heart. I don't think you'll need my money, but that's yours too, if you want it. (The same goes for you, as well, Mariah.)

READING REQUESTS-PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING FIRST:

I am a firm believer in getting something for giving something. Sometimes, it doesn't have to be much, even a "Thank You" will do. However, when it comes to booksie, I believe you should AT LEAST read somebody's work before leaving a reading request to that person. Think about it. Do you want somebody to comment on your work if you can't stand reading thiers??? I know I wouldn't. So please, read my work first, before leaving a request. If you like it, please let me know, and I will be sure to return the favor and let you know what I think about your short story, poem, etc. If you don't, then please move on. There are plenty of other writers on booksie, with many different styles. You're bound to find one that matches your writing style.

I just signed up for an account on Bookrix, too!!! And I've posted a new story on there!! Please feel free to check out my site on Bookrix, my name is Writersbug there, too. Thanks!!